Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2008 January 23

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January 23

Local custom - crossing fingers on the sight of a fire-engine, ambulance etc

A local custom from my youth was to cross your fingers on the sight of a fire engine, ambulance or even a gas board van (whilst shouting e.g. GAS VAN GAS VAN) that was heading in the general direction of your house and then either leave them crossed until you saw another object (some friends say a dog or cat, others say the rules were more complicated) or have another person uncross them for you whilst wishing you good luck. I grew up in an urban area of Wiltshire, England, where this was fairly common in the 1980's amongst schoolchildren and adults.

I can sort of understand that this may have been a general superstition along the lines of 'I hope that fire/accident/gas explosion isn't related to me', but does anyone know of any other history in this? Does it perhaps stem from the warding off of evil? Does anyone know any other variations? 86.21.74.40 (talk) 02:33, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

In Cornwall one holds one's collar upon seeing an ambulance, as I recall untill one then saw a black or white animal. DuncanHill (talk) 08:49, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

While browsing A Dictionary of Superstitions, I read about a custom of holding or touching the collar of your coat when you saw an ambulance, and not releasing it until you saw a dog. Unfortunately, I don't have access to the book at the minute, but I remember this custom was prevalent in the North of England, reported most recently in the eighties, and that there were many, many variations on what to hold, for how long and what conditions had to be met before you could stop.

Sorry I haven't got more information, but the book is a fascinating read, if you can get hold of it. --Kateshortforbob 23:57, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

When I lived in Chile, it was common to cross oneself upon seeing an emergency vehicle, for fear that it would come for you next time. Steewi (talk) 00:46, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Same in Ireland. Guessing it's a Catholic thing. 83.147.143.14 (talk) 12:06, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

In Fire and Hemlock, the practice is mentioned of holding one's collar after seeing a hearse, until one sees something else specific. That bit's set in the 70s, I think, in Britain. 79.66.24.40 (talk) 18:40, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Ettitquette: Gold/silver/bronze when drawn

I was field marshell at athletics carnival. One event had a tie for second place place. We had spare medals just incase this happened. I order that first be given gold, then silvers to the two who came second, but no bronze medal be awarded as the next compeditor is judged to have placed 4th.

This didn't go down well with the compeditors/family/friends etc. Someone told me in the olympics that they still award silver when two people tie for gold. I find such a concept rediculous but apparently its standard practice?--155.144.251.120 (talk) 05:58, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

I think they were just sore losers. Ties at the Olympics don't happen often, but when they do, a medal is skipped, just as you say. See Swimming at the 2000 Summer Olympics - Men's 50 metre freestyle for example. FiggyBee (talk) 06:56, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

Leapin' Lent

Is Lent one day longer this year because of leap year? Pais (talk) 06:07, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

No. It does not depend on date. The Lent is worked out from easter, going back 40 days skipping saturday to arrive at ash wednesday. The date doesn't matter. It has no effect, it remains 40 days. This is the same reason why it doesn't change length even though easter changes what date it falls on practically every year.--155.144.251.120 (talk) 06:19, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

The date changes every year, no exceptions. I checked this out elsewhere - see Talk:Easter#Same consecutive Easter date. -- JackofOz (talk) 21:39, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

155 is correct that the actual dates are irrelevant for this question. I never knew until I read Lent that Sundays aren't included in the calculation. It's 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday (often incorrectly referred to as 'Easter Saturday') inclusive, excluding Sundays. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 12:57, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

Indeed, because the Sundays are feastdays, not fastdays. Which means you can eat all the chocolate you've been depriving yourself of during the week :) Skittle (talk) 16:38, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

As I once read, the exclusion vs inclusion of Sundays in Lent was one of the conflicts between the Celtic and Roman churches, with the Celtic church insisting the 40 days represented Jesus' 40 days in the desert, which certainly included the sabbath. But I couldn't see any reference to that controversy in those articles, so I can't confirm the accuracy right now. Gwinva (talk) 19:48, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

It's certainly in the articles as an Eastern/Western thing. Orthodox churches count the days differently to Rome and the protestant churches which practise Lent. I believe the Roman church also holds that the 40 days represent the 40 days in the desert, but that Sunday's being mini-easters trumps it :) I suppose once you're not spending those 40 days actually in a desert, consuming nothing, anything is a compromise... Skittle (talk) 01:13, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Map creating software

I kind of have a weird hobby where I like to draw maps of fantasy cities on paper. By fantasy, I don't mean the fantasy genre, just layouts of realistic looking, imaginary modern cities, kind of like urban planning. Anyway, I was wondering if there is any software out there where I can do this on a computer instead of paper. I basically want something like Sim City, but without any of the actual gameplay, if that makes sense. I'd like to be able to create terrain, lay out roads, place buildings, etc, and just keep doing this until I complete a layout. I don't really need a feature to design my own buildings or structures, I could use pre-made ones. If possible, I'd like to see a top-down map view, and maybe a 3D isometric view. I know many professional urban planners use software like AutoCad to basically draw urban layouts, but I'd like something simpler that maybe has a Sim City-like interface. Does any software like this exist? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rc251 (talk • contribs) 06:10, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

The sim city 2000 urban renewal kit seems to fit your description nicely. Other than that i can't think of anything. I would kind of like to know this myself. Cryo921 (talk) 06:24, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for the response. I played Sim City 2000 way back in the day, and while I barely remember the URK, I do remember it gave a pretty good measure of control for laying out cities. I don't have it installed now unfortunately, so I can't check it out myself again, but something like that with graphical updates and more features would be great. I did a lot of searching online, but most of my results seem to be graphical or statistic based apps targeted at professional. Did the newer Sim City games get rid of the kind of control that the Sim City: 2000 URK had? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rc251 (talk • contribs) 06:52, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

• In Sim City 4, it's relatively simple to set up a map with infinite cash, allowing you to experiment with infrastructure as much as you want. I don't recall any easy way to make particular privately-owned buildings pop up where you want, though. Also, SC4 uses a "neighborhood" system where you have several smaller, interconnected maps -- this may be even more fun for you, or it may detract from the sort of designing that you want to do. --M@rēino 16:02, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

As a side note, if you like making such maps and the like, you might be interested in playing geofiction. I myself have been part of the ImagiNations game for years. (The game is indicated in that article.) — Michael J 02:30, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

Toter Uhu

I just noticed that the English Wikipedia doesn't seem to have an article (not even a stub) on this Manet painting, which is currently featured on the German Wikipedia's main page. Out of curiosity, is there a list of foreign language FAs that have no corresponding articles of any quality here? Zagalejo^^^ 06:45, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

You might find this interesting. SaundersW (talk) 09:27, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

And also Wikipedia:Featured articles in other languages and Wikipedia:WikiProject Echo. Algebraist 10:11, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

relateed to chemical engineering.....

A space shuttle has to be launched in an orbit of radius 6700 km. The space shuttle to be launched is designed by a NASA Scientist. The mechanism used to launch is different from other old satellites. The space shuttle is first given a special velocity at special angle to do this fuel used here is nuclear type. The main advantage is that it uses a small amount of fuel and small weight of satellite. The reaction which takes place to provide energy by nuclear fuel is A�R. The amount of heat released is 9676 MJ/mole of A. Reaction rate is 1xCA and the reactor if mixed flow type and the concentration of A is 1 mole per litre. Cost of the reactant is 4500$ per mole of A and cost of reactor including installation, cost auxiliary equipment is 1000$ per hour per litre. The space shuttle is firstly rotated on a smooth vertical circular rod and the mechanism is such that when it acquires the special velocity the rod is broken at special angle and the satellite escapes. But there is a defect in the design as the special angle is increased engine has to do more useless extra work, the energy waste is 0.01 MJ/thieta (angle at which the satellite is launched Θ). While rotating in upper vertical circle the shuttle acquires n upper temperature T1=1000 K and lower surface acquires T2=298 K. Smart scientists overcome the special angle problem by exploiting the surface temperature. They make a thermal engine which works on temperature T1 and T2 and extracts 70% of the maximum possible work which they use in providing special velocity. The whole of the process is to be completed in exactly in one hour while rotating. The energy given by nuclear fuel in providing special velocity is 40% efficient. Mass of the upper and lower surfaces are same and equal to 15 kg and heat capacities of both the surfaces are same and equal to 10 KJ/kg C. Find: 1. Minimum amount of R to be produced 2. Optimum feed rate of A. Given the radius of earth is 6400 km.—Preceding unsigned comment added by Amitagl27 (talk • contribs)

There are two reasons this is unlikely to receive the replies you want. Firstly, it is on the miscellaneous desk, rather than the science desk, and I suggest that somebody who has not done the research to find the most appropriate desk is not trying very hard. Secondly, it looks very much like homework, and you will see if you read the rubric at the top of the page that we don't do homework (except on the Humanities page, but I don't think that the respondents there are terribly hot on physics). If this is a horrible misreading of your situation, then I apologise. SaundersW (talk) 09:23, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

A third reason is that it is not a question. It is an instruction, without even a please or a thank you.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 10:02, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

I will answer, though - The minimum amount of R to be produced is the smallest amount of R that can be produced over the course of the hour, whatever other variables. The optimum feed rate of A is the best and most efficient rate at which the A should be fed. Never let it be said that the ref desk isn't helpful! Faithfully, Deltopia (talk) 13:59, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

This has got to be a school assignment, possible a mixed course first year university assignment.--Dacium (talk) 22:55, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

why don't women make sense====sonyaveen*** readers answer "short and sweet"

    Gentilmen, women do make sense but, dont be ashamed we ask the same questions about you. You see, the human hormones are very complex in such ways, women have periods which can cause cramps, bloating, headaches, ect. Therefor can make the female cranky and  irratible. Men don't understand this and can take it the wrong way.
    Men also can ask this question in lack of communication to the opposite sex, therefor not understanding there signs of affection, or any other physical or verbal actions. We as of women and men have diffrent ways of life, which recieve questions from one another such as.. "why don't men/women make sense" Hope this helps.

Sailor Moon's skirt

Why does Sailor Moon's skirt become much shorter when she morphs into "super hero" mode? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.225.50.83 (talk) 10:25, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

Two words: target audience.

Two more: Fan service. --Mdwyer (talk) 06:04, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Because superheroes are supposed to look exciting, and short skirts are that, aren't they? If you watch the old Wonder Woman TV series (featuring historic hottie Lynda Carter), you will find that her legs are featured prominently in her superhero feats. It's tradition. Faithfully, Deltopia (talk) 10:39, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

With many superheroes who magically transform from their alter-egos into their super versions, their clothing rapidly disappears. If I were to speculate it would be in part to draw the distinction between the "normal" people they are before and the "super" people they are after. A prominent example for males is, of course, He-Man, but even Superman has a variation of this (going from wearing a suit and glasses to a cape and skin-tight underwear). --24.147.69.31 (talk) 14:27, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

So it doesn't get in her way. --Masamage ♫ 16:48, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

So that both girls and guys want to watch it at the same time, even if it is for different reasons.--Dlo2012 (talk) 23:45, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

When is it proper to use Diamond Anniversary? 60th or 75th year Anniversay?

Hi! Our hospital will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary and we are unsure if it is proper to label the event Diamond Anniversary because the term Diamond Anniversary is also being used and accepted to celebrate 75th Anniversary. My question is: strictly speaking when is it more proper to use the term Diamond Anniversay to celebrate 60th anniversary and when is it more proper to use it to celebrate 75th Anniversary. Thanks. Arisluke (talk) 13:14, 23 January 2008 (UTC) Aris

Our article Diamond Jubilee says 60th for a person (eg a King or Queen), 75th for a thing. DuncanHill (talk) 13:29, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

(ec) According to Diamond Jubilee it's 60 years for a person (e.g. Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee) or 75 for an 'event'. However, there's no citation for this assertion, and I've never heard of the 75-year rule before. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 13:29, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

Isn't 60 years ruby? 81.159.218.124 (talk) 13:40, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

No, Ruby is 40 - see Wedding anniversary for the full list. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 13:42, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

Did Hitler really watch The Great Dictator?

Is it true that Hitler watched Chaplin's 1940 film "The Great Dictator" not once, but twice? I'd do almost anything to know what he thought of the film, or even better, watch his reactions as he sees it. Little or nothing is known about this, however. :| —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.225.50.83 (talk) 14:54, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

According to the Internet Movie Database: "When this film was released, Adolf Hitler banned it in Germany and in all countries occupied by the Nazis. Curiosity eventually got the best of him and he had a print brought in through Portugal. He screened it not once but twice. Unfortunately, history did not record his reaction to the film. When told of this, Charles Chaplin said, "I'd give anything to know what he thought of it." It goes on to say: "Although this movie was banned in all occupied countries by the Nazis, it was screened once to a German audience. In the occupied Balkans, members of a resistance group switched the reels in a military cinema and replaced a comedic opera with a copy of this film, which they had smuggled in from Greece. So a group of German soldiers enjoyed a screening of this film until they realized what it was. Some left the cinema and some were reported to have fired shots at the screen." [1] Laïka 20:51, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

A bit of trivia - Chaplin was born 16 April 1889, and Hitler was born 4 days later, on 20 April 1889. -- JackofOz (talk) 21:15, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

Ha! Thanks for this answer -- I have always loved Chaplin's parody of Hitler and had no idea that Hitler saw the movie himself. Makes my day. Pfly (talk) 09:03, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Is cherries and milk poison?

I've been worrying about this for a while. MalwareSmarts (talk) 18:45, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

It's a myth. There's an amusing anecdote about it at everything2 --18:51, 23 January 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Tagishsimon (talk • contribs)

That's one I've never heard. When my sisters were little, a camp counselor told them they should never drink milk in hot weather, because it would curdle in their stomach. Now it's true of course, that milk will curdle in your stomach in hot weather, but then milk will curdle in your stomach in cold weather, too. That's what happens when milk comes in contact with gastric acid. —Angr ^{If you've written a quality article...} 19:06, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

Cecil Adams briefly covers this here. APL (talk) 22:22, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

-sonyaveen***readers answer-

Theoretically no, cherries were once proven to have a spicific chemical to react with diffrent substances when the cherry was first founded, therefor are certainly not poisen. Milk however, is only considerd poison in which causeing illness, unless it has been starlyzed thoroughly throughout the packageing process. There have been reports of diseases such as salaminilla, a deadly infection spread from animal cells into what had consumed it. Therefor breaking down the liveing cells within a organisms body and shutting the organs down killing the host, unless the proper treatments and antibiotics are applied.

Do USAian schools actually metal detect search students?!

Is this just something you see in movies, or does it actually happen? And if it does, surely only very few schools do this? Sounds like total madness to me. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.225.50.83 (talk) 21:12, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

It actually happens, though the prevalence is fairly low (about 10%, as of 2003) and its efficacy is uncertain. Additionally, "USAian" is a rather awkward construction. Issues of national arrogance aside, "American" is generally unambiguous in this context. — Lomn 21:50, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

Upon first reading, I thought 85.225 meant U.S. Asian. For some reason, my brain threw another "s" in there. I had to read it a couple times until I realized that you meant American, 85.225. Dismas|^(talk) 21:56, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

England is rushing to catch up, apparently. Metal detectors plan for schools from the BBC. --Tagishsimon (talk) 22:53, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

On the other hand, north of the border in Canada, it is extremely uncommon for elementary to high schools to search students. Acceptable (talk) 23:16, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

Most of the metal detectors were installed in the post-Columbine time period. --.ιΙ Inhuman14 Ιι. 02:36, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Talk about working from the wrong end... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.225.50.83 (talk) 10:49, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

It's worth noting that I don't think that 10% is evenly distributed. APL (talk) 14:24, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Lombard Wikipedia fall

According to [2] the Lombard Wikipedia lost more than 90.000 articles last month. How's that? --Taraborn (talk) 21:51, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

Something to do with this, perhaps? It looks like Lombard Wikipedia had thousands of bot-generated articles, and they're all getting deleted. —Angr ^{If you've written a quality article...} 22:11, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

Heh. Thanks. --Taraborn (talk) 00:19, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Symbolism Meanings

Hello, I recently decided what I want for a tattoo, but before i get it inked on permanently i want to cross check any references that it may have...don't want to offend anyone accidentally. I've searched the web for references to this symbol, but with no leads, other then people recognizing it and seeing it on other people i have no clue how to locate it. How would you suggest finding this symbol? Vachementness (talk) 22:14, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

It would help if you told us or showed us what the symbol is. —Angr ^{If you've written a quality article...} 22:19, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

Agreed. If you'd like to do your own research here, check out Category:Symbols and List of symbols. Dismas|^(talk) 22:37, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

There is also an encyclopedia of symbols that you can search by graphic elements as well as by meaning. SpinningSpark 00:19, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

If you don't understand what a tattoo means, then you probably shouldn't get it. Tattoos are expensive, personal and permanent. Unless the symbol has strong personal meaning to you, you should probably select something else. EvilCouch (talk) 02:51, 24 January 2008 (UTC)